On October 16, 2025, a senior representative from the University of Birmingham, one of the UK’s leading research universities, visited East & West International Education Group (EWIE) and met with President WANG Wei.
During the meeting, both sides held in-depth discussions on the current status and future development of cooperation under the East & West International Curriculum, and confirmed the University of Birmingham’s recognition of the International Foundation Certificate (IFC) program. The University of Birmingham representative highly commended EWIE’s professionalism in student quality assurance, academic preparation, and progression support, and expressed the hope to further expand the scale of cooperation and enhance the program’s overall impact.
This visit further deepened the strategic mutual trust between the two institutions and injected new momentum into the high-quality development of future collaborative projects.
On October 16, 2025, a delegation from Newcastle University, led by Dr. Dennis Wong, Regional Provost & Group CEO (East & Southeast Asia), visited the headquarters of East & West International Education Group (EWIE) for an in-depth discussion. Newcastle University is a member of the UK’s prestigious Russell Group and ranks among the world’s top 100 universities. EWIE President WANG Wei warmly welcomed the delegation, and both sides held productive discussions on further strengthening international education collaboration.
During the meeting, both parties reviewed their strong foundation of collaboration in recent years, particularly through the East & West International Curriculum, which includes the International Foundation Certificate (IFC) and International Pre-Master Program (IPMP). They reached a broad consensus on developing more comprehensive strategic cooperation in curriculum development, international progression services, and other related areas.
President WANG Wei stated that EWIE looks forward to expanding its strategic partnership with Newcastle University based on existing achievements, exploring more diversified models of collaboration, and building a high-quality bridge that connects Chinese students with world-class educational resources.
This high-level visit reflects the long-term mutual trust and close partnership between the two institutions and lays a solid foundation for building a more innovative and higher-level strategic relationship in the future.
On September 12–13, 2025, the 6th Annual Conference of the Association of British Chinese Professors (ABCP) was successfully held at the University of Surrey, UK. With the theme “Partnership, Confidence and Prosperity”, the conference brought together distinguished representatives from leading universities, research institutions, and education enterprises in both China and the UK to explore new pathways for collaboration in education and research.
As one of the key invited participants, Mr. WANG Wei, President of East & West International Education Group (EWIE), delivered two keynote speeches, showcasing EWIE’s long-standing efforts and achievements in advancing Sino-British educational exchange and cooperation.
In his opening-day address, Mr. WANG reviewed EWIE’s 26 years of development across eight core business sectors, with a particular focus on how programs such as the International Foundation Course (IFC) and International Year One (IYO) have supported Chinese students in successfully transitioning to overseas degree studies. He also highlighted the launch of the Scholars Hub program in 2024, which helps aspiring doctoral candidates connect with ABCP members and UK professors. Mr. WANG emphasized EWIE’s mission of “building bridges through international education”, aligning closely with ABCP’s goals of promoting academic exchange and talent development. He further put forward three key initiatives — Interlink, Inspire, Initiate — calling for deeper collaboration between the academic and education sectors of both countries to create more opportunities for the next generation.
Later, in a parallel session, Mr. WANG delivered a speech titled “Promoting Sino-British Educational Exchange through International Curriculum Cooperation”. Drawing on the latest data on overseas study and joint-program development, he noted that as of the 2022/23 academic year, over 150,000 Chinese students were enrolled in UK degree programs, accounting for 27% of the UK’s non-EU international student population. At the same time, around 270 joint higher education programs between China and the UK have been established, benefiting nearly 85,000 students. As one of China’s leading international pathway providers, EWIE continues to support both institutional partnerships and student growth through its IFC, IYO, and IPMP programs.
At the evening gala, Mr. WANG presented the annual ABCP Awards on behalf of EWIE and engaged in in-depth discussions with leaders from both academia and industry, further expanding EWIE’s international influence in educational cooperation.
The conference not only underscored EWIE’s sustained contributions to international education but also provided valuable opportunities for the Group to deepen Sino-British collaboration and expand its global partnership network. Looking ahead, EWIE will remain true to its mission, continuing to serve as a bridge that helps more Chinese students embrace the world and achieve their future goals.
On September 11, 2025, Mr. WANG Wei, President of East & West International Education Group (EWIE), led a delegation to visit Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), a century-old prestigious institution in the UK. In-depth discussions were held with the university’s core management team regarding future educational cooperation, resulting in multiple collaborative agreements and laying a solid foundation for the comprehensive advancement of subsequent educational partnerships between the two parties.
EWIE President WANG Wei and Queen Mary University of London representatives in a group photo
The meeting was attended by Mr. Lee Wildman, Global Partnerships Director at QMUL; Ms. Jane Wallis, Director of Global Online Partnerships (online); Ms. Jenny Zhou, Deputy Director of International Admissions & International Affairs; Mr. Ceri Bevan, Deputy Director of China Online Partnerships (online); Ms. Patty Wang, East Asia Regional Manager; and Ms. Eva Guo, Senior Admissions Manager for China. Their attendance underscored the university’s high regard for this visit.
Queen Mary University of London
During the talks, both sides engaged in detailed and productive discussions on various collaborative topics. They confirmed the signing of a full-project agency agreement, establishing a close cooperation mechanism for promoting educational programs and facilitating student enrollment, thereby creating a streamlined pathway for students to study at Queen Mary University of London. Additionally, the university formally recognized EWIE’s foundation programs, IFC and IPMP, and agreed to collaborate to ensure students’ smooth progression to overseas institutions.
Furthermore, the discussions covered both short-term and long-term collaborative projects. Preliminary consensus was reached on a 2+2 joint education model, and further research will be conducted on the “Scholars Hub” program to jointly promote the cultivation of high-level talents.
This meeting not only clarified the direction for future cooperation but also yielded a series of collaborative achievements. The implementation of these initiatives will effectively facilitate resource sharing and complementary advantages in the field of international education, injecting new momentum into the cultivation of outstanding talents with global perspectives and competitiveness.
On September 10, 2025, Mr. WANG Wei, President of East and West International Education Group (EWIE), led a delegation to the University of Southampton, a leading UK institution. The group held productive meetings with the university’s senior leadership to explore opportunities for deeper collaboration.
Group photo of President WANG Wei and representatives from the University of Southampton
The partnership between EWIE and the University of Southampton has flourished for over twenty years. Throughout this long-standing relationship, the two sides have maintained strong collaboration in areas including international program development, student training, and placement, consistently nurturing globally minded talents.
Both parties recognized the significant potential for Sino-UK cooperation in international education. As a top-tier research university, the University of Southampton excels in academic development, research innovation, and educating students with international competitiveness. EWIE brings extensive experience in international education services, with well-established recruitment channels, student development systems, and comprehensive overseas support. Building on this, the two sides agreed to expand their collaboration to include strategic initiatives such as student recruitment, curriculum integration, joint program development, employability training, and advanced talent cultivation.
ZoePresident WANG Wei with Mark, Deputy Director of the International Office, and Zoe, Regional Recruitment and Partnerships Manager
The meeting established a strong foundation for a long-term and stable partnership. In addition to broader strategic alignment, both sides discussed concrete collaboration avenues, including foundation programs (IFC and IYO), short-term study abroad opportunities, global employability initiatives, and doctoral program partnerships.
President WANG Wei in discussion with Mark, Deputy Director of the International Office
President WANG Wei commented, “Our enhanced collaboration with the University of Southampton is a key part of our global strategy and an important effort to create more opportunities for students to access world-class education. For over two decades, we have worked together to help students pursue their dreams at renowned universities. We look forward to partnering with more leading institutions worldwide to develop a new generation of talents with international perspectives and global competence.”
President WANG Wei and Ms. Rocchina Covucci from the University of Southampton Business School
Recently, a four-member delegation of senior representatives from INTO China visited the headquarters of East & West International Education Group (EWIE) for in-depth discussions on the long-term partnership and upcoming key initiatives between the two organizations. The visit marks a new phase in the strategic collaboration between EWIE and INTO in the field of international education.
During the meeting, both sides reaffirmed the strong foundation built over years of successful collaboration and reached a preliminary consensus on developing a more flexible, innovative, and sustainable strategic partnership. The two parties also agreed to deepen cooperation on foundation pathway programs, with a particular focus on the continued development of initiatives such as the International Year One (IYO) and International Pre-Master’s Program (IPMP). In addition, they will strengthen joint efforts in both online and offline marketing activities, including school visits and education fairs, to further enhance project visibility and brand recognition.
Looking ahead, EWIE and INTO will continue to leverage their respective strengths to explore new pathways and models of international education collaboration. By working together to launch and scale more high-quality programs, the partnership aims to offer students a broader range of global study options and access to more diverse, high-quality academic opportunities.
On June 5, 2025, Mr. WANG Wei, President of East & West International Education Group (EWIE), visited the University of Wollongong (UOW) in Australia. He was warmly received by the university and held a cordial and productive meeting with Professor LU Gaoqing, the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of UOW.
Professor Lu, an internationally recognized academic leader with a strong strategic vision, recently assumed office as the sixth Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wollongong. Notably, he previously served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey in the UK, making him the first Chinese scholar to have led major universities in both the UK and Australia.
During the meeting, Professor Lu spoke highly of the strong partnership between UOW and EWIE. He expressed great expectations for continued collaboration in bringing more outstanding Chinese students to study at UOW. The two sides held in-depth discussions and reached consensus on several key areas of cooperation, including joint education programs such as 2+2 and 4+0 models, student recruitment for UOW’s offshore campuses, and enrollment for UOW College diploma programs. Both parties agreed to strengthen collaboration in these areas and to develop an even closer and more strategically aligned partnership in the future.
This visit laid a solid foundation for deeper collaboration and outlined a clear roadmap for future development between the two institutions.
On the afternoon of May 30, 2025, the inaugural meeting of the Expert Committee for the “New Era International Employability Program for University Students,” organized by the University Graduates Employment Association, was held at Minzu University of China (Haidian Campus). The event brought together leading scholars and experts from various fields to explore strategies for enhancing international employability among university students.
Guided by the principles of “literacy as the foundation, competence as the core, and practice as the driver,” the program aims to promote student employment, support Chinese enterprises in their global expansion, and align with national development strategies. The first phase will involve selecting 50 pilot universities to establish a comprehensive international employability training system through a series of targeted initiatives.
In his opening remarks, YANG Xiaochun, Vice President of the University Graduates Employment Association, highlighted the importance of enhancing students’ global career readiness in the context of globalization. He warmly congratulated the establishment of the expert committee and expressed hope that members would contribute their expertise to ensure the program’s successful rollout. Co-chair JIANG Bo expressed strong confidence in the program’s future and encouraged experts to actively apply their professional strengths to help achieve impactful results. The meeting was chaired by ZHANG Zongming, Co-chair of the Expert Committee and Vice President of the Association.
Following the opening session, WANG Wei, Chairman of East & West International Education Group (EWIE) and President of Institute for East & West International Education, pledged the EWIE’s full support for the program. He emphasized the EWIE’s strengths in international education and experiential learning, and its commitment to helping universities cultivate globally competitive graduates.
The committee reviewed and approved the “Expert Committee Work Guidelines” and finalized the list of committee conveners and liaisons, establishing a solid foundation for structured and orderly operations. Evaluation experts presented an overview of the project review process, and attending members assessed the shortlist of candidate pilot universities.
The Program Executive Office delivered a detailed report on the current status of applications and implementation efforts. Experts were then invited to share their perspectives, offering a wide range of valuable insights and constructive suggestions. Their contributions will play a key role in refining and optimizing the program moving forward.
In closing, Co-chair ZHANG Zongming summarized the outcomes of the meeting, stating that its successful convening marks a significant step toward the program’s full-scale implementation. He emphasized the guiding role of the expert committee in ensuring the program’s success and extended heartfelt thanks to all participants for their support. Looking ahead, he expressed hope for continued collaboration to advance international employability initiatives in higher education. With concerted efforts from all parties, the program is poised to deliver strong momentum for improving global career readiness among Chinese students and contribute to the cultivation of high-quality talent with global competitiveness.
On May 26, 2025, a senior delegation from the University of Birmingham, led by Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Adam Tickell, visited East & West International Education Group (EWIE) for an official exchange. The visit aimed to explore new opportunities for collaboration in higher education between the UK and China, with in-depth discussions focused on international student mobility, curriculum development, and evolving trends in global education.
The visit began with a welcome ceremony, where EWIE extended a warm reception to Professor Tickell and the university delegation. EWIE introduced its core business areas, showcasing its long-standing expertise in international academic pathways, overseas university preparation, and global curriculum integration. The delegation gained a comprehensive understanding of EWIE’s strategic approach to guiding Chinese students toward overseas study opportunities.
Mr. Wei Wang, President of EWIE, delivered opening remarks, offering his perspective on the current landscape of UK higher education among Chinese families. He noted that the UK remains a preferred destination for Chinese students, thanks to its world-class academic institutions and flexible program structures. Mr. Wang emphasized that EWIE’s value lies not only in helping students study abroad, but in providing strategic, individualized academic planning that aligns with long-term educational and career goals.
Following the ceremony, a roundtable forum was held under the theme “Perspectives on the Current Landscape and Future Trends of Overseas Study from the Standpoints of International Schools and Universities.” The discussion brought together education leaders, international curriculum coordinators, and university guidance professionals from both China and the UK. Topics included the evolution of university admissions criteria, the growing influence of AI in education, and how international schools are shaping the next generation of global learners.
The University of Birmingham delegation commended EWIE for its active role in promoting UK-China educational exchange. They expressed strong interest in deepening ties through collaborative initiatives such as joint curriculum design, faculty visits, and co-developed academic programs.
This visit not only strengthened mutual understanding of each side’s education systems and institutional practices, but also laid the foundation for more integrated and impactful cooperation in the future. Both parties agreed to continue fostering dialogue and building partnerships that support high-quality education outcomes and empower more Chinese students to achieve their aspirations on the global stage.
On May 13, 2025, The East & West International Conference on Pathways & International Programmes, hosted by East & West International Education Group (EWIE) and guided by the Overseas Study Services Branch of the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE), was successfully held at the Crowne Plaza Beijing Zhongguancun. Focusing on the pivotal role of pathway programmes in nurturing globally competent talent, the conference brought together more than 150 educational experts, institutional representatives, and industry leaders to explore the development and future of international preparatory education.
In his opening remarks, Mr. WANG Wei, Chairman of EWIE, warmly welcomed all attendees and introduced the EWIE’s long-standing efforts and accomplishments in the field. Since 2007, EWIE has actively built an international curriculum framework driven by a dual approach of “localized integration and global accreditation.” Over the past 18 years, it has partnered with over 20 Chinese universities and received recognition from hundreds of institutions across 14 countries. EWIE has sent more than 13,000 students to major education destinations such as the UK, US, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, with 20% of graduates entering QS Top 100 universities, earning widespread recognition within the education community.
Mr. CEN Jianjun, Chairman of the Overseas Study Services Branch of CEAIE, former Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchange at the Ministry of Education, and former Minister-Counselor for Education at the Chinese Embassy in the United States, delivered a keynote address titled “Advancing Talent-Centric International Pathway Education.” He emphasized that international pathway education serves as a vital bridge between domestic and global higher education. He called for strengthening its educational function and maximizing its practical value. He also offered forward-looking insights and strategies in response to opportunities and challenges in talent cultivation, sparking thoughtful discussions among participants.
Mr. WU Xinping, Representative of the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy in China, also delivered a special address. By analyzing current developments in higher education in both the UK and China, he underscored the essential role of international pathway programmes in enhancing cross-cultural competence, facilitating UK-China educational collaboration, and responding to global educational trends.
During the featured speech session, YAN Haixia and FENG Jianghua, heads of the International Curriculum Center at EWIE, spoke respectively on the themes “Daring to Explore, Building Strength Over Time — The Development of East & West Pathway Programs” and “Innovating with Determination, Pursuing Excellence — The Future of East & West Pathway Programs.” They shared the challenging journey of East & West Pathway Programs from their founding to steady growth, offering valuable insights on curriculum development, teaching innovation, and student services. They also introduced future development plans, giving attendees a clear and in-depth understanding of the program’s progress and direction.
During the featured speech session, Dr. Alaric Rae, Deputy Director of External Relations at the University of Birmingham, Ms. Anita Sandham, China Regional Manager at the University of Sheffield, and Ms. YAN Ke, Vice Dean of the College of Continuing Education at Chongqing University each delivered a speech, sharing the practical experiences and achievements of their respective institutions in international pathway education cooperation projects from different perspectives. Their contributions demonstrated the key role of pathway education in connecting high-quality educational resources both domestically and internationally, and presented the audience with a diverse and vivid picture of real-world practices in this field.
At the accreditation ceremony, six educational institutions — the International Education Center of Dalian University, the School of Continuing Education at China University of Geosciences (Beijing), the School of Continuing Education at Jiangnan University, Melton International School in Qingdao, Northwestern Polytechnical University, and Kangqiao School in Xinzhan High-Tech Zone, Hefei — were awarded the plaque of “East & West International Curriculum Cooperation Center.” This marked a further expansion and refinement of the global platform for international pathway education jointly promoted by EWIE and its partners.
During the panel discussion session, themed “International Pathway Education and the Globalization of Education,” several distinguished guests gathered for an in-depth dialogue, including: Ms. Le Ying, Deputy General Manager of the Shanghai Center, EWIE; Ms. Claire Guo, Project Manager of the University of Sheffield China Office; Mr. Yao Hanbin, China Admissions Officer at Lancaster University; Mr. Zhang Jing, Director of China Education International Exchange Center; and Mr. Wu Xinping, Representative of the Cultural & Education Section, British Embassy in China. The panelists explored key issues surrounding the positioning, development trends, opportunities and challenges of international pathway education in the context of globalized education in the new era. They shared the response strategies and innovative practices of their respective institutions, offering the audience a multidimensional perspective and broadening the vision for the future development of international pathway education.
The Q&A session that followed was lively and interactive, fully reflecting the conference’s open, inclusive, and pragmatic atmosphere of exchange.
At the conclusion of the event, Mr. JIN Xiaojun, Vice Dean of the Institute for East & West International Education, took the stage to deliver a closing address.He expressed heartfelt gratitude to all speakers for their insightful contributions, and to attendees for their sincere engagement throughout the discussions. He emphasized the deep understanding of international pathway education demonstrated by all participants, as well as their shared commitment to advancing high-quality educational resource sharing. Mr. Jin warmly congratulated the successful conclusion of the event, and looked forward to continued collaboration and joint progress on broader platforms in the future.
This conference marks the first of its kind in China’s international pathway education field. It has opened a new chapter for enhanced collaboration, mutual support, and shared development. With the momentum from this gathering, international pathway education is set to make more solid strides in the future — contributing to the cultivation of outstanding talents who possess national awareness, international understanding, cross-cultural competence, and the ability to meet global challenges, and driving international educational exchange and cooperation to new heights.
